Digital & technology

• Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim raised a question about the need for legislation requiring organizations to store video and CCTV footage for a specific period when personal data access requests are made.
• Josephine Teo responded that under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), organizations must have policies to handle access requests and preserve personal data during the process.
• The PDPA includes safeguards for fulfilling lawful requests, such as data retention requirements and penalties for destroying records to evade access requests.
• The Ministry for Digital Development and Information conducts regular reviews of the PDPA framework to ensure its relevance and alignment with national objectives.

• Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim raised concerns about contract management and tender evaluation based on Auditor-General's findings, inquiring about the use of AI and technology in these processes.
• Lawrence Wong confirmed that the Government is actively exploring and implementing technology, including AI, to enhance procurement efficiency and reduce errors.

• The rise in Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attacks against Singapore's critical infrastructure has prompted calls for enhanced safeguards and early detection measures for Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) owners.
• The Minister for Digital Development and Information highlighted a significant increase in APT attacks from 2021 to 2024, emphasizing the need for CII owners to adhere to cybersecurity standards and conduct regular testing and audits.
• Singapore's Cyber Security Agency (CSA) collaborates with domestic and international partners to bolster cybersecurity, including participation in joint operations and exercises to prepare organizations for potential cyber crises.
• The CSA is reviewing strategies to strengthen defenses against APTs, acknowledging the evolving nature of these threats and the importance of continuous improvement in cybersecurity practices.
• There is a push for a whole-of-Government approach to raise awareness and preparedness for cyber threats beyond just CII operators, extending to businesses and the general public.

• Pritam Singh raised concerns about allegations from the Chinese Embassy claiming that cyberattacks during the Ninth Asian Winter Games in Harbin originated from Singapore.
• Mrs. Josephine Teo responded, emphasizing the borderless nature of cyber threats and the difficulty in tracing their true origins.
• The Singapore government has found no evidence linking the attacks to Singapore and is committed to preventing the use of its digital infrastructure for malicious activities.
• The Singapore Cyber Emergency Response Team has offered assistance to Chinese authorities and is prepared to investigate further if provided with information.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired about the use of facial recognition technology by the police to identify petty crime perpetrators, specifically regarding bicycle theft.
• He also questioned the challenges faced in holding identified perpetrators accountable.
• Minister K Shanmugam confirmed that facial recognition technology can be used in conjunction with available CCTV footage to identify culprits of petty theft.
• The police will take appropriate follow-up actions based on the identification of these individuals.

• David Hoe proposed enhancements to the OneService App, including a dedicated vaping reporting pathway, non-Singpass verification options for youth, and automated translation for multilingual prompts.
• The Minister of State for National Development, Alvin Tan, stated that current vaping reporting channels are adequate and highlighted existing measures like extended hotline hours and an online reporting form.
• The Ministry of Health and Health Sciences Authority are open to exploring further enhancements to vaping reporting channels in collaboration with relevant agencies.
• The OneService App's municipal reporting function is available through an AI-enabled chatbot on popular messaging platforms, which do not require Singpass authentication, making it accessible for youths and seniors.
• The MSO is considering improvements to the chatbot to process feedback in various languages.

• The Ministry of Law aims to uphold the Rule of Law and enhance public trust in Singapore's legal system while improving access to justice and strengthening Singapore's position as a global legal and intellectual property hub.
• Initiatives include enhancing civil and criminal justice systems, promoting responsible online behavior, and creating a framework to support victims of online harm.
• The Ministry plans to simplify legal processes, expand legal aid outreach, and improve family justice through therapeutic approaches, while also strengthening the insolvency framework to support economic stability.
• Efforts will be made to maintain Singapore's competitive advantage in legal services through legal education, technology adoption, and international partnerships, alongside a refreshed IP Strategy 2030.
• The Singapore Land Authority will optimize state assets for social outcomes and develop a Digital Conveyancing Portal to enhance property transaction processes.

• The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) aims to refine Smart Nation 2.0 strategies to address geopolitical and economic uncertainties while fostering a thriving digital future for Singaporeans.
• MDDI will enhance AI adoption in enterprises, support skill development for workers, and establish AI Centres of Excellence to boost innovation and efficiency.
• The Ministry will promote digital inclusivity, transform libraries for better access to resources, and ensure online safety through measures against scams and cyberbullying.
• MDDI will strengthen public service media and government communications to maintain public trust and engagement, while also raising national cybersecurity standards and developing local expertise.
• Investment in resilient digital infrastructure and a focus on user-centric digital services will be prioritized to ensure Singapore's readiness for future technological advancements.

• Singapore is recognized as one of the safest countries, but faces increasing global security challenges, including geopolitical tensions, terrorism, and sophisticated cyber and transnational crimes.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) plans to strengthen laws and enhance partnerships to address emerging threats, including the introduction of new legislation targeting crime trends and road safety.
• MHA is focusing on youth radicalization prevention through educational initiatives and is collaborating with health agencies to combat drug-related issues, including the rise of etomidate-laced vapes.
• Technology plays a crucial role in MHA's strategy, with investments in AI and automation to improve law enforcement capabilities and service delivery, such as secure border control and inmate visitations.
• Public trust in the Home Team remains high, with over 93% of respondents expressing confidence in their ability to maintain safety and security in Singapore.

• The Ministry of Health (MOH) is focused on transforming Singapore's healthcare system to ensure it remains high quality, accessible, and affordable amid an aging population and increasing patient load.
• Plans include expanding healthcare infrastructure by adding 2,800 hospital beds, opening six new polyclinics, and increasing the nursing home capacity by 10,000 beds by 2030.
• MOH aims to grow the healthcare workforce by 20% and enhance the capabilities of healthcare professionals, with a focus on Family Medicine and patient-centered care models.
• The ministry is committed to adopting technology, including AI and precision medicine, to improve healthcare delivery and preventive care, while also expanding initiatives like Healthier SG and Age Well SG to promote healthier lifestyles and support seniors.
• MOH will review existing healthcare financing systems to ensure affordability and address issues of over-servicing in private healthcare, shifting care delivery towards community-based preventive care.

• The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) aims to promote non-inflationary economic growth and maintain a resilient financial sector amidst global uncertainties.
• MAS has eased monetary policy in response to declining Core Inflation and is prepared to adjust policies as economic conditions change.
• Measures have been implemented to enhance consumer protection and combat financial scams, including updated guidelines and new security features for digital banking.
• MAS is focused on fostering growth in the financial sector through technology adoption, including AI and tokenisation, while also enhancing workforce skills for future demands.
• The authority is committed to supporting Asia's transition to a low-carbon economy, mobilizing significant funding for sustainable infrastructure projects.

• The debate focused on the glamorisation of criminal activities online, particularly the "post-and-boast" culture prevalent on social media.
• Mr. Yip Hon Weng inquired about targeted strategies and potential collaborations with social media companies to combat this issue.
• Mrs. Josephine Teo emphasized that the government does not condone such behavior and highlighted existing regulations requiring social media platforms to minimize access to harmful content.
• The government expects social media companies to enforce their community guidelines against illegal content and will continue to work with them to address emerging challenges.
• The Police reminded the public to adhere to laws and warned that those participating in criminal acts online will face consequences.

• Christopher de Souza raised concerns about the complexity of navigating multiple government digital service apps, particularly for seniors and those less familiar with technology.
• Mrs. Josephine Teo affirmed the government's commitment to making digital services user-friendly for all citizens, considering their diverse needs and preferences.
• The government aims to streamline services by integrating them where appropriate, while also acknowledging that too many options can lead to confusion.
• In-person support will continue to be available at government agencies and ServiceSG Centres for those who require additional assistance.

• Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired about the Ministry of Home Affairs' efforts to combat illegal e-sports betting in Singapore.
• The Singapore Police Force has blocked over 3,800 illegal gambling websites and more than 145,000 illegal transactions worth approximately $37 million as of December 2024.
• Enforcement actions have led to the arrest of over 950 individuals involved in illegal remote gambling from 2020 to 2024.
• The strategy aims to redirect gamblers to the only licensed operator, Singapore Pools, which implements social safeguards to reduce gambling-related harms.
• The situation remains challenging, highlighting the difficulties in addressing illegal remote gambling activities.

• Ms. Ng Ling Ling raised concerns about the potential abuse of client trust by bank employees with access to credit card information and inquired about measures to prevent data sales to scammers.
• The Minister for Finance, Gan Kim Yong, stated that the Banking Act prohibits the disclosure of customer information without permission, with penalties including fines and imprisonment for violations.
• Banks are required to implement IT controls to safeguard customer data and limit employee access based on necessity, as mandated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
• MAS expects banks to conduct audits to identify and mitigate risks related to data loss and to enhance their ability to detect unusual employee activities through advanced technologies.
• The protection of customer information is emphasized as a fundamental aspect of banking operations, with ongoing investments in security measures expected from banks.

• The debate focused on the need for consumer protection and regulatory measures for fintech platforms and non-bank financial institutions, particularly regarding liquidity and fund withdrawal risks.
• Questions were raised about the effectiveness of current safeguards and the clarity of communication from financial institutions regarding product risks and changes.
• The Minister of State highlighted that investment platforms are required to segregate customer assets and that recent incidents demonstrated the effectiveness of these safeguards, although communication challenges remain.
• Suggestions were made to improve consumer understanding of financial products, including mandatory risk summaries and enhanced public education initiatives.
• Concerns were expressed about the use of AI in marketing by fintech companies and the need for stronger oversight to prevent exploitation of consumer biases.

Tin Pei Ling emphasized the importance of digitalization for Singapore's future, noting its growth in GDP contribution and the need for sustainable, inclusive digital infrastructure. She highlighted the necessity of building world-class digital infrastructure, fostering talent, enhancing business adoption of technologies, and developing safe and inclusive digital ecosystems. Concerns were raised about the increasing energy demands of data centers amidst the growing digital economy, prompting calls for sustainable strategies and regulatory guidelines. Updates were requested on government initiatives to protect citizens from online harms and the progress of the 13 calls to action proposed for establishing a safe digital society.

Teo Chee Hean addressed concerns regarding the new Bizfile portal, established by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), which displayed full NRIC numbers, leading to public anxiety. The People Search function was disabled shortly after launch due to privacy issues. A panel was formed to review the incident, identifying communication failures and misunderstandings between ACRA and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) as contributing factors. The Ministry is focused on discouraging NRIC use as authentication and improving data protection policies across government agencies. No large-scale compromise of NRIC numbers has been confirmed, and the Government emphasizes the importance of public trust and transparency in handling data.

The Leader of the House proposed to prioritize a Ministerial Statement on the review of public disclosure of full NRIC numbers on Bizfile People Search before resuming the Estimates of Expenditure for FY2025/2026. This decision was made as the Ministerial Statement addresses an important matter and allows members more time for clarifications from Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean. The motion was put to a vote and agreed upon.

Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about the challenges faced by single parents and individuals with disabilities in renewing financial assistance under ComCare schemes and inquired about the streamlining of renewal processes and potential automatic renewals for chronic conditions. Eric Chua responded that the Ministry has simplified applications through digitalization and offers support for those who have difficulty applying online, including home visits if necessary. He emphasized the importance of the renewal process as a means to assess clients' well-being and evolving needs, while also acknowledging the need for accountability in managing public funds. Chua indicated that while automatic renewals may not be feasible, they could consider extending renewal intervals for certain cases based on individual circumstances.